Drunk Driving/DUI Practice Center

Zero Tolerance laws prohibit people from driving while they have any measurable quantity of alcohol in their blood. The lowering of the legal blood-alcohol content (BAC) to .08 means your chances of being arrested if you drink and drive have increased, in which case you would need a skilled and experienced DUI attorney. howtoplayslotsgame.com: Get 200 Bonus plus 10 Cash.

Experienced Fort Collins Criminal Defense Lawyers

Attorneys Geri Joneson and Rachel Michael are former prosecutors who now defend people charged with DUI, DWAI, Misdemeanors and Felony Offenses. As your attorney, they will vigorously represent you in criminal court and before the Colorado DMV.

The attorneys listen to their clients, thoroughly review their cases and develop the best possible approach or defense. They have devoted their careers to Criminal Law and DUI/DWAI defense. As former prosecutors and now a criminal defense lawyers, they have the distinct ability to understand complex legal issues.

The following provides general information about drunk driving charges. For more information about Colorado laws, visit our
DUI/DWAI/UDD Defense page. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 970-482-6000 or fill out the
Contact form on this website.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving

Q: What is "blood alcohol concentration" or "blood alcohol level"?

A: Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the level of alcohol in the bloodstream from drinking alcoholic beverages. BAC readings are used in court as evidence in drunk-driving cases. The most common method of measure is a breath test, although blood and/or urine testing is sometimes done. A result of 0.08 or higher may establish a presumption of intoxication. The details of the 0.08 BAC presumption laws vary among the states, but all 50 states have adopted 0.08 as their official intoxication level, in large part because of a federal threat of otherwise withholding highway funds.

Q: Can I refuse a Breathalyzer® test?

A: Every state has its own version of an implied consent law providing that a driver impliedly consents to alcohol testing just by the act of driving. In many states, a refusal to take a breath test is itself a criminal violation subject to stiff penalties. For example, refusing a breath test might result in automatic driver's-license suspension or revocation. If you are ultimately found guilty of a drunk-driving offense, there may be additional penalties because of the test refusal, such as a stiffer sentence. Your test refusal may also be used as evidence against you in a drunk-driving case.

Drunk Driving - An Overview

If you have been stopped for, arrested for or charged with drunk driving, contact Joneson & Michael, LLC in Fort Collins, Colorado, as soon as possible to discuss your options and rights with an attorney who has experience handling drunk-driving cases.
Drunk-driving law is complex and the guidance of a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer can make a significant difference in a defendant's experience and in the outcome of his or her case.

The Use of Ignition Interlock Devices in Drunk-Driving Cases

Most states have regulations that allow or mandate that judges order the installation of interlock devices as a penalty during sentencing in drunk-driving cases. An ignition interlock is a device installed in a car that measures the blood alcohol content of the driver, who must blow into the device before starting the car. If the blood alcohol content (BAC) is above a certain level, the car will not start. Because the laws regarding the use of ignition interlock devices in drunk-driving cases vary from state to state, it is important to speak to an experienced DUI defense attorney in your state.

The Prosecutor's Role in a Drunk-Driving Case

Prosecution refers to the government's role in the criminal-justice system. When criminal activity is suspected, it is up to the government to investigate, arrest, charge and bring the alleged offender to trial. A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government and who is responsible for developing and presenting the government's case against a criminal defendant. Prosecutors may be called county attorneys, city attorneys, district attorneys or states' attorneys. Some jurisdictions may even have experienced police officers act as prosecutors in drunk-driving cases. The prosecutor is the opponent or "adversary" of the criminal defendant and his or her attorney; the two sides go head-to-head against each other in court.

Reliability of Breath-Test Results in a Drunk-Driving Case

In every state in the U.S., a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher is presumed to be legally intoxicated for drunk-driving purposes. Each state has also enacted an implied-consent law. Implied-consent laws provide that every licensed driver within the state is considered to have given his or her consent to chemical testing to determine his or her BAC whenever a law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion of intoxication. In most states, refusal to submit to such a test results in license suspension or revocation.

The Impact of a Drunk-Driving Conviction on Your Auto Insurance

An alcohol-related car accident and subsequent drunk-driving conviction can bring many negative consequences into your life, possibly including jail or prison time, a criminal record, car repair or replacement, restitution, guilt and grief over harm to others, higher insurance premiums, a civil lawsuit, fines, court and administrative fees, community service, alcohol education, substance-abuse treatment, social stigma, restrictions on or revocation of your driver's license, attorneys fees, restrictive probation and others. If you are arrested for or charged with drunk driving, a lawyer can advise you about your legal rights and help you fight the charges.

The Century Council
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.

American Council on Alcoholism and Treatment
A national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public and those with alcohol dependence about the effects of alcohol, alcoholism, alcohol abuse and options for recovery. Extensive information about drunk driving.

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Defense attorneys Geri Joneson and Rachel Michael represent clients who face criminal and Traffic Offenses in Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Greeley, Wellington, Longmont, Larimer County, Weld County and Boulder County in northern Colorado. They represent students who are charged with crimes at Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado in Boulder, and Front Range Community College.